Motorola marketer in Lastminute.com move

Motorola’s European marketing director Simon Thompson (pictured) is leaving the handset manufacturer after just a year to join Lastminute.com. He starts as chief marketing officer at the online travel company in mid-April.

Thompson joined Motorola at the beginning of last year from Honda UK, where he was responsible for the marque’s multi award-winning adverts such as “Cog”, “Grrr” and “Impossible Dream”.

Motorola’s marketing director for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India Neil Stuart will take over Thompson’s responsibilities in the interim, although it is thought the company is looking for a direct replacement.

Thompson replaces former IPC Ignite! marketing director Niall McKinney as chief marketing at Lastminute. He is leaving after just over a year to pursue “entrepreneurial interests”. Thompson will report to the travel company’s deputy chief executive Damon Tassone.